ihavefat

This is a noob question but I just couldn't find a definite answer online. Some people wait until they put 3k or 5k miles and change. Some people change after 1k miles or some even 100 miles. When is the ideal time to change the engine oil?

I have a '12 gt and it's nearing 1000 miles. I do not mind spending time and money with the oil change.

I did hear our cars have additives in the engine oil from the factory so it should last until 5k but some say it's BS.

Also which brand is the best?

Nuke

I know the 05's thru 10's came with synthetic blend which is good for 7500 miles under good conditions or 6 months. Full synthetics can easily go beyond 10,000 miles or 1 year. I've been running fulll syn for 8000-10000 miles in my Stang and 8000 miles in my current and previous tow vehicles (I frequently tow a boat or a camper). But it's all in what you're comfortable with. I had many cars that went over 200,000 miles with no issues that I used dino oil changed it at 3000-4000 miles. I've had over 6 vehicles that went over 200,000 miles with no issues doing the 8000-10000 mile changes with synthetics. For me, because of how many miles I put on the cars, I opted for full syn so I wasn't under the car every 2-3 months. I've stuck with synthetic blend in the g/f's.... i mean WIFE'S... V6 Pony at 5,000-6,000 mile changes or 6 months, whichever comes first.

BTW, I had oil analysis training many years back and I'm quite comfortable with 10,000 mile oil changes. Just be sure to use a decent filter if you intend to go beyond 7500 miles. Otherwise, the stock Motorcraft filters are just fine.

And don't let anyone tell you that black oil is bad. That's bullchit...

Rylay

amsoil or royal purple are the name brands right now but I'm not sure how much of that is the quality or the price assurance that because they cost more they are better. I put in Amsoil 5w20 full synthetic and she's run great for 6k so far and I plan on changing again at 8k-10k. as far as oil filters, i went with a name brand also

JIM5.0

AMSOil & RP are really good. I can vouch for RP first hand.

I personally have run 5W 20 & 5W30 RP oil wights, I like the 5W30 the best, especially being from texas and the heat is tremendous here. I find that the 30 part of the viscosity helps prevent my engine from heating up too much, since the hear here is pretty bad such that the radiator has problems exhanging out heat into an already hot ambient air.
Well, that is what I think I observe, it could all be in my mind.

Anyway, with a good quality filter, RP is good for no less than 10K miles before needing to be changed, and even then, it could possible go several K miles more.

ihavefat

Thanks everyone for the input.

I will look more into the names brands you have recommended. I'm still thinking car needs to have their engine oils changed every 3k miles. Are there any benefits in changing engine oils often?


Also no one has said anything about the first engine oil change. When is the ideal time to change?? Or do the intervals between oil changes you guys recommended apply to the first engine oil change as well?

darksky1984

I did my first oil change at 3000 miles and put in full synthetic oil. After that I go every 8000 to 10000 miles. Any sooner than that you are wasting your money buying full synthetic and should just buy the cheap oil.

Diabolical!

Mobil 1 every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Lem-06

make sure, no matter what oil you pick
DO<not> follow this guy

ihavefat

LOLOL! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I will keep that in mind Lol!

JIM5.0

That guy is now an officially bonafide urban legend